Fairbanks, AK - For the third time in her career, senior outside hitter
Megan Thigpen (Spokane, WA) was recognized as the Alaska Nanooks Most Valuable player.
Thigpen, a first team all GNAC pick, received the honor at the end-of-season volleyball awards banquet Sunday afternoon at the Wood Center Ballroom. She led the squad in kills and kills per set while finishing second in digs and aces.
Senior setter
Alexa Sherman (Calabasas, CA), a GNAC honorable mention pick, earned the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year award, while sophomore
Jennifer Holland (Sterling, AK) and freshman
Allison Oddy (Chilliwack, BC) earned Co-Outstanding Defensive Player award.
Junior middle
Erica Gage (Palo Alto, CA) earned the team's unsung hero award and senior defensive specialist
Hannah Armstrong (Eagle River, AK) took home the PHD (Pride, Hustle, Desire) award.
Freshman setter
Mandy Grierson (Abbotsford, BC) was given the Coach's Award from associate head coach
Amy Phelps, and senior outside hitter
Heather Lyons (Anchorage, AK) received
Phil Shoemaker's Head Coach's Award.
This season the Nanooks led the GNAC with eight Academic All-Conference selections, which was highlighted by Holland who led the GNAC with a 4.0 GPA. Sherman, Thigpen, Lyons, Armstrong, Gage,
Melissa Refuerzo (Anchorage, AK) and
Jessica Hill (Colorado Springs, CO) were also named to the team.
Alaska also honored their five seniors, Hill, Armstrong, Sherman, Thigpen and Lyons, who all competed in their final season as a Nanook.
The Nanooks finished the 2009 season with a 12-15 overall record, 6-10 in the GNAC, good for seventh in the conference. The season was highlighted by a thrilling 3-2 win on senior night over Northwest Nazarene at the Patty Center.
